Damper-regulating mechanism.



B. G. WIGKBS. DAMPER REGULATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION rum) DBO. 9, 1909.

964,892. Patented July 19, 1910.

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APPLICATION FILED DEC. 9, 1909.

964,892. Patented July 19, 1910.

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Ei: [NVE/VYOR B. G. WIGKES.

DAMPER BEGULATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION IILSD DBO. 9, 1909.

964,892; Patented July 19, 1910.

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WJTNE l r I INVENTOR & QB

A QM dbwmlmmk UNITED sTATnsrnTENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN G. WICKES, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK.

DAMPERg-REGULATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters l'atent. Patented Jul 19, 1910,

Application filed December 9, 1909. Serial No. 532,272.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN a citizen of the United States, residing atAuburn, in the countv of Cayuga and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Damper-Regulating Mechanism; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it ap pertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide damper regulating mechanism forthe heating apparatus of houses and other buildings C. WICKES,

whereby an even desired temperature can be maintained automatically. Insuch devices it has been customary to employ as the motive power foractuating the dampers, a weight or spring driven motor, and to controlthe same by means of an electric device actuated byan electricthermostat. These motors have to be rewound at frequent intervals,generally once a day, and the neglect of winding results in a stoppageof the apparatus.

In carrying out my invention, I employ as the motive power for directlyoperating the dampers a fluid pressure device which can be connected tothe watermain in the building or other supply of fluid under pressure,and I provide a control apparatus for the fluid pressuredeviceconsisting of a valve mechanism to control the fluid, and an electricdevice for operating the Valve mechanism, the latter being connectedwith the thermostat and actuated therefrom.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter describedreference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate oneform in which I have embodied my invention and the invention is fullydisclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the said drawings, Figure-1 represents portions ofa-building, a heater therefor, and damper regulating mechanism embodyingmy present invention installed in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is anelevation of the box or casing containing the control apparatus, withthe front side removed. Fig. 3 is a view of the same with one of theside walls of the casing removed. Fig. 4 is a detail View of the motorand electric controlling apparatus therefor. Fig. 5 is a verticalsectional View of the valve casing and in the opposite directionv by aspring (t,

the said lever 5 being connected by chains or other flexible connections7 and'8 with the dai'npers 2 and 3 in such manner that when the leveris, moved in one direction the damper 2 will be opened and damper 3.closed, and vice. versa.

9 represents a casing containing the control mechanism and 10 is athermostat of ordinary or preferred construction electrically connectedwith the electric control device, as hereinafter described.

, The valve mechanism for controlling the supply of fluid tothe fluidpressure device 1, is preferably contained within the casing 9 and isillustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and in section in Fig. 5. This valvemechanism comprises a box or valve casing 11, which is supported withinthe inc-losing casing 9 in any desired manner, as by screws passingthrough cars 12, 12. The valve casing is preferably formed of a coredcasting open at one side, which is closed by a plate 13, suitablepacking being provided. between the plate and the edges of the openportion of the casing. The casing 11 is'provided with three openings,which are preferably threaded, two of these openings 14 and 15 are inthe top of the casing and the third 16 is in the bottom, but a differentarrangement could be made if desired. The aperture 14 receives a screwplug 17, provided with a longitudinal passage therethrough and having atits upper end a valve seat 18, upon which .a ball valve 19 is adapted tobe seated. This plug 17 is connected in any convenient manner with thewater supply pipe or main in the building where the device is installed,as by a pipe 20 which may be a metal pipe or a flexible hose aspreferred.

The aperture 15 is connected in any suit.- able manner with the fluidpressure device 4. In this instance it is fitted with a nipple.

fluid pressure device.

nection by a pipe 22*. In this instance the aperture 16 is fitted with aplug 23, provided with a valve seat 24 to receive a ball valve 25.

26 represents a rock shaft which is mounted transversely in the walls ofthe casing 11, and extends through one of said walls, where it isprovided with a suitable stufiing box 27 to prevent leakage. Within thecasing 11 the rock shaft 26 is provided with oppositely extending arms28 and 29 secured to a collar 30, which is adjustably secured. to theshaft 26 by a set screw 31. The arm 28 is provided at its outer end witha vertical stem or rod 32, pivotally connected to the arm and extendingloosely through the aperture in plug 17,- the upper end of said rodbeing in proximity to the ball valve I 19. The arm 29 is provided withbifurcated portions 33, 34 one above the other, the lower part 34 beingslotted to receive a stem or rod 35 passing through a guiding aperturein a lug 36 formed in the casing 11, and having its lower end looselyengaging the aperture in the plug 23, said rod carrying the ball valve25 through which it preferably extends. The rod 35 is provided with anenlargement or head 37 which lies between the bifurcated portions 33 and34 of its operating arm, for the purpose of permitting a certain amountof lost motion, thus permitting the valve 25 to seat itself withoutstrain when lowered upon its seat. It will be seen that by rocking theshaft 26 in one direction the inlet valve 19 will be lifted from itsseat and the waste valve 25 will be lowered upon its seat, thus openingthe fluid inlet and placing the fluid pressure device 4 in communicationwith the water main, the pressure accumulating in the valve casing 11,and in the diaphragm chamber of the device 4, operating the lever 5,against the retracting spring and opening damper 2 While damper 3 ispermitted to close. When the rock shaft 26 is moved in the oppositedirection, the waste valve 25 will be lifted from its seat, and thevalve 19' will be permitted to seat, thus cutting off communication withthe fluid pressure supply, or main, and relieving the pressure in theValve casing and diaphragm chamber. The spring 6 will cause the returnmovement of the lever 5, returning the diaphragm and expelling a verysmall quantity only of fluid through the waste pipe, correspondingmerely to the previous displacement of the diaphragm. The returnmovement of lever 5 will open check draft damper 3, and close the maindamper 2. It will thus be seen a that the dampers may be actuated byshifting the position of the rock shaft 26, and

that the amount of fluid actually wasted in securing numerous operationsof the dampers during the day, as may be required under the control ofthe thermostat, will be inconsiderable.

For operating the rock shaft 26, I prefer to emplo a very small electricmotor, capable of being operated in connection with one or two drybattery cells as such motors and batteries are" very inexpensive, andthe motor will have sufficient power to turn the shaft 26, whileobviously not having power to directly operate the heavy damper doors,and such apparatus can be conveniently installed in small compass at anydesired point in a house or building. The electric control mechanism forthe rock shaft 26 is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and in detail in Fig.4, and comprises the following elements.

40 represents the motor, the armature shaft of-which is connected bysuitable inter mediate gearing with the actuating shaft 46. In thisinstance the armature shaft is provided with a pinion 41 meshing with agear 42 on an intermediate shaft 43, provided with a pinion 44 meshingwith a gear 45 on the shaft 46. The shaft 46 is provided with a crankarm 47, which is connected by a link 48 with a longer crank arm 49 onthe rock shaft 26, the relations of the parts being such that the throwof the crank 47 in making a half revolution will effect a movement ofrock shaft 26 from one of its positions, previously described, to theother. 7

The shaft 46 is provided with a disk 50 having two notches 51 thereinlocated a half circle apart, and these notches are adapted to be engagedby a pawl 52 on a trip lever 53 pivotally mounted in the framing of theelectric control mechanism upon a rock shaft 54. The outer end of thelever 53 carries a stop lug 55, which when the awl 52 is in one of thenotches 51, is in position to be engaged by either of a pair of stoparms 56, secured to a hub which is loosely mounted on a shaft 57, andconnected to the shaft by a torsional spring 58. The shaft. 57 isprovided with a pinion 59 meshing with the gear 42 for imparting motionthereto, and

said shaft 57 is also provided with a "car 60, t

meshing with a pinion 61, on a fan gliaft 62 carrying the ordinaryretarding fan 63, or any other form of retarding device may be employed.

Above the trip lever 53 is secured an electromagnet 64 for raising thesaid lever to release the stop mechanism and start the motor ashereinafter described, said magnet being electrically connected with thethermostat as hereinafter explained.

' 65 represents a fixed contact stud insulated from the frame of theelectric control mechanism, and connected with the motor circuit by awire 66, (see diagram of circuits, Fig. 7

67 represents a movable contact carried by but insulated from an arm 68pivoted to the framing, and to said contact 67, a wire 69 forming partof the motor circuit is connected, said wire in this instance passingthrough a binding post 7 0, secured to but insulated from the plvotedarm 68. The wire 69 leads to the motor battery indicated at 71, and awire 72 leads from said battery to the motor, thus completing the wiringof the motor circuit.

The contact arm 68 is provided with an actuating arm 73, which is inposition to be engaged by an arm 74 on the rock shaft which carries thetrip lever 53,so that when said lever 53 is lifted by the magnet 64 thecontact arm 68 is also raised, thus closing the motor circuit, andstarting the motor, at the same instant that the sto mechanism isreleased by the stop lug 55 isengaging one of the stop arms 56. 'Whenthe motor is started it will continue'to operate'until actuating shaft46 has been given a half revolution, whether the magnet 64 remainedenergized or not, as the pawl 52 will rise upon the portion of disk 50bet-ween the notches, until the next notch 51 comes beneath it, when(the magnet being deenergized) the lever 53 will fall allowing contactlever 68 to fall and break the motor circuit, and lowering the stop lug55 which is instantly struck by one of the stop arms and arrests themotor and train without shock owing to its yielding connection with theshaft 57.

In Fig. 7 I have shown the plan of WlIiD from the thermostat to theelectric controI mechanism, 80 representing the thermostatic element and81 and 82 the contacts with which it cooperates. The said contacts 81and 82 are connected by wires 81* and 82 respectively with springcontacts 81 and 82 lying in this instance on opposite sides of the shaft46, and being alternately placed in circuit by a rotary switch arm 83,mounted on said shaft. The arm 83 is in circuit with the magnet 64through the frame of the apparatus, as indicated in Fig. 7 by wire 84.The common return wire 85, connects the thermostatic element with magnet64 through the battery 86. I prefer to provide two (11stinct circuits asherein shown, the one for the motor and the other for the thermostat andcontrol magnet, and a separatebattery for each circuit.

It will be seen that in whatever position the parts are left by thepreceding operation of the device, only one thermostatic circuit is incondition to be closed by the movable element 80. As soon as the circuitis closed, and the magnet 64 has operated as before described to startthe apparatus, the switch arm 83, will be carried away from the springcontact whichit engages (as arm 82 in Fig. 7) breaking the circultthrough the magnet and permitting the mechanism to be stopped after ahalf revolution as before described,

pressionof the torsion spring 58, will be checked by the pawl 52 onlever 53, the end of the recess 51, which is ma e sub stantially radialas shown.

' I also contemplate installing the appara tus previously described inconnection with the pipe system of a steam or hotv water system, inwhichcase the fiuid' pressure device may be directly connected with aquick acting valve, in a pipe leading to the radiator or radiators in aroom or suite of rooms, as v an apartment or ofiice, the same being oneof a large number of rooms, or suites of rooms heated by the sameheating system, whereby the temperature of the particular room or suitecan be regulated independently en aging 7 of other portions of thebuilding. In Fig. 8

I have shown such a device in which 4 represents the fluid pressuredevice, and 4 represents the quick acting valve connected directlytherewith, the said fluid pressure device being connected to the otherparts of the mechanism described, in the same manner as the device 4 isshown connected in Fig. 1. In installing the apparatus in hotels,apartments and oflice buildings the fluid pressure connections can bereadily made with Water )ipes in the building, as in the contiguous ath,or toilet rooms, or at a stationary wash stand, and the box or casingcontaining the electric controlling mechanism, and valve mechanism canbe placed adjacent to the water'supply pipe out of the way, and the pipe22 can be extended as far as necessary to the fluid pressure device4.

What I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. In a damperregulating apparatus, the combination with a fluid pressure device,connections therefrom to the dampers, a valve mechanism for controllingthe fluid pressure device and an electric control mechanism for saidvalve mechanism, comprising,

an electric motor, connections from said motor to the valve mechanism,an electric circuit for said motor, a switch for closing said circuit,an electromagnet for operating said switch, a yielding stoppingmechanism for stopping the motor, and a pawl mechanism for preventingback lash when the stopping mechanism is thrown into operation.

2. In a damper regulating apparatus, the combination with a fluidpressure device, and connections therefrom to the dampers, of valvemechanism for controlling said fluid &

pressure device, and an electric control mechanism for said valvemechanism comarresting the motor, a magnet for-operating said triplever, and aswitch for controlling said motor, operated by said magnet.

3. In a damper regulating apparatus, the combination with a fluidpressure device, and connections therefrom to the dampers, of valvemechanism for controlling said fluid pressure device, and an electriccontrol mechanism for said' valve mechanism comprising an electricmotor, operative connections between the motor and the valve mechanismincluding a rotary partprovided with looking notches, a trip lever havina pawl for engaging said notches, a yiel ing stop mechanism operated bysaid trip lever for arresting the motor, a ma net for o crating saidtrip lever, a switch or contro ling the motor, including a movablecontact arm, operative connections between said contact arm and saidtrip arm, an electric circuit for said motor and its controlling switch,a thermostatic device, two separate circuits from said thermostaticdevice and a switch operated by said motor for connecting the magnetwith one or the other of said thermostat circuits.

4. In a damper regulating apparatus, the combination with a fluidpressure device, and connections therefrom to the dampers, of valvemechanism for controlling said fluid pressure device, and an electriccontrol mechanism for said valve mechanism comprising an electric motor,operative connections between the motor and the valve mechanismincluding a rotary part provided with locking notches, a trip leverhavin a pawl for engaging said notches, a yiel ing stop mechanismoperated by said trip lever for arresting the motor, a ma net foroperating said trip lever, a switch or controlling the motor'comprising' a stationary contact, a movable switch arm, and a movableswitch contact carried by but insulated from said arm, an electriccircuit through said stationary and movable contacts and the motor,operative connections between said trip arm and said switch arm foroperating the latter tric, motor operative from said magnet, and aseparate circuit for said magnet. 1

5. In a damper regulating apparatus, the combination with a fluidpressure device, and connections therefrom to the dampers, of valvemechanism for controlling said fluid pressure device, and an electriccontrol mechanism for said valve mechanism compris ng an electric motor,operative connections between the motor and the valve mechanismincluding a rotary part rovided with lockin notches, a trip lever Forstopping and re easing the motor, a rotary sto connected with the motorfor engagin sai -tr1p arm, a magnet for operatin sai trip arm, a switcharm operated by said ma net,

7 a movable contact carried by but insu ated from said switch arm, astationary contact in the path of the movable contact, an electriccircuit for the motor, including said contacts, and a separate electriccircuit for said magnet.

6. In a damper regulating apparatus, the

combination with a fluid ressure device, connections extendin there romto the parts to be controlled, a va ve mechanism for said fluid pressuredevice, including a valve casing provided with a fluid inlet, a wasteoutlet and an outlet connection communicatin with the pressure, device,and horizonta valve seats in the fluid inlet and outlet, a ball valveengaging each of said valve seats, adapted to seat thereon by gravity, arock shaft extending through said valve casing between the horizontalplanes of the valve seats, a pair of arms within said casing secured tosaid rock shaft, a rod secured to one of said arms, and extendingupwardl to engage one of said ball valves to lift it rom its seat, a rodextendin downwardl to the g I t other of said valves and connectehereto, said rod being connected to the arm by a connection permittinlost motion, an elecconnected with the rock shaft, a stop meo anism forthe motor, an electric device for releasing the motor from the stopmechanism, a thermostat and operative connections between the saidelectric device and said thermostat.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

, BENJAMIN G. WIGKES. ;,.Wi tnesses:

C(D. FOWLER, E. THORN.

